SK12962003A3 - Controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration and a direct energy conversion - Google Patents

Abstract

A plasma-electric power generation system is described. The system includes a chamber (305) having a principle axis (315), a first magnetic field generator (325, 425) for creating an azimuthally symmetric magnetic field within a central region of the chamber with a flux (480) substantially parallel to the principle axis of the chamber and a current coil (320) concentric with the principle axis of the chamber for creating an azimuthal electric field within the chamber. A first plurality of electrodes (494) form a cylindrical surface in a first end region of the chamber. A second magnetic field generator (488) for creating an azimuthally symmetric magnetic field within the first end region of the chamber with a flux (496) substantially parallel to the principle axis of the chamber is also provided. The system also includes an electron collector (490) interposing the first and second magnetic field generators and adjacent a first end of the plurality of electrodes, and an ion collector (492) positioned adjacent a second end of the plurality of electrodes.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates generally to the field of plasma physics, and in particular to plasma retention processes and apparatus enabling fusion and to convert energy from products to electricity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fusion is a process in which two light cores are joined to form a heavier core. The fusion releases large energy in the form of fast moving particles. Because the nuclei of the atom are positively charged (they contain protons), a repulsive or Coulomb electrostatic force acts between them. In order to induce a fusion of two nuclei, this repulsive force needs to be overcome, which happens when the two nuclei are very close to each other and the short-range nuclear forces increase sufficiently to overcome Coulomb's force and generate nuclear fusion. The energy needed to do this. in order to cross the Coulomb barrier, the nuclei arise from their thermal energy, which must be considerably high. For example, the fusion may be recorded when the temperature is at least of the order of 10 µV. equivalent to approximately 100 million Kelvin. The value of the fusion reaction is a function of temperature and is characterized by a quantity called reactivity. For example, the reactivity of the D-T reaction has a broad peak between 30 keV and 100 keV.

A typical fusion reaction proceeds as follows:

D + D —► He ³ (0.8 MeV) + «(2.5 MeV)

D + T —► ct (3.6 MeV) + «(14.1 MeV)

D + He ³ - He ³ (3.7 MeV) + β (14.7 MeV) and p + B · · cí (8.7 MeV), where D denotes deuterium. T tritium. a is the helium nucleus, n is a neutron, p is a proton, He is helium and is boron-11. The numbers in brackets for each equation indicate the kinetic energy of the fusion products.

The first two reactions mentioned above - reactions D-D and D-T - are neutron, which means that most of the energy of the fusion products is transmitted by fast neutrons.

The disadvantage of neutron reactions is that. that

1. the flow of fast neutrons causes many problems, including structural damage to the reactor walls and a high degree of radioactivity for most building materials,

2. fast neutron energy is obtained by converting their thermal energy into electricity, which is very inefficient (efficiency less than 30%).

The advantage of neutron reactions is:

1. the peak of their activity occurs at a relatively low temperature,

2. their radiation losses are relatively low because the atomic number of deuterium and tritium is k

The reaction products in the other two equations - D-He ^ a - are called advanced fuel types. Their fusion does not produce fast neutrons, as in the case of neutron reactions, but charged particles. One of the advantages of these advanced fuel types is that they generate much less neutrons and therefore do not suffer so much from the associated disadvantages. D-He ^J produces some fast neutrons by secondary reactions, but these neutrons generate only 10% of the energy of the fusion products. The β-B ^ reaction is devoid of fast neutrons and generates some slow neutrons arising from the secondary reactions, which, however, causes far fewer problems. Another advantage of the advanced types is that their fusion products contain charged particles whose kinetic energy can be directly converted into electrical energy. By means of a suitable direct energy conversion process, the energy of advanced types of fuels as fusion products can be very efficiently collected, even at a level exceeding 90%.

However, advanced fuel types also have disadvantages. These include, for example, the higher atomic numbers of advanced fuel types (2 for He ^ and 5 for B1 f). Therefore, their radiation losses are also higher than in neutron reactions. For advanced fuel types, it is also more difficult to initiate fusion. The peak of their reactivity occurs at much higher temperatures and does not reach as high as the reactivity of D-T. Thus, inducing a fusion reaction in advanced fuel types requires a higher energy state where their reactivity is significant. Therefore, advanced fuels must be retained for a longer period in order to be brought into suitable fusion conditions.

The plasma retention time is Jr = O / D, where r is the minimum plasma size and D is the diffusion coefficient. The classical diffusion coefficient is D _c = ap7Tj _e . where i is the gvroradius of the ion and ¾ _{Z (} doba is the collision time of the ion with the electron. Diffusion according to the classical diffusion coefficient is called classical transport. The God's diffusion coefficient due to short-wavelength instabilities is Dg = (1/16) Diffusion according to this relationship is called anomalous transport For fusion conditions Dq / D _c = (1/16) Qpig = 10 «, anomalous transport results in a much shorter retention time than classical transport. the plasma must be in the fusion reactor on the basis that the retention time for a given amount of plasma must be longer than the nuclear fusion reaction of the plasma, therefore classical transport is desirable in the fusion reactor because it allows less initial plasma.

In the first experiments with toroidal plasma retention, the retention time was At = r- / Dft. Thanks to the progress made over the last 40 years, the detention period has increased to na O / Dg. One current fusion reactor concept is Tokamak. The magnetic field of the Tokamak 68 and the typical particle path 66 is shown in Figure 5. In the past thirty years, fusion efforts have focused on a Tokamak reactor using DT fuel. An expression of these efforts is the International Experimental Reactor (ITER), shown in Figure 7. Recent experiments with Tokamaks show that classical transport At = O / D _c is possible, in which it is possible to reduce the minimum plasma size from meters per centimeter. In these experiments, energy beams (50 to 10 keV) were injected to heat the plasma to a temperature of 10 to 20 keV. See W. Heidbrink and GJ Sadler, 34 Nuclear Fusion 535 (1994). It has been found that the energy beam ions in these experiments slow down and classically diffuse, while the thermal plasma further diffused in a rapid anomalous manner. This is because the energy beam ions have a large gyroradius and as such are not sensitive to changes in wavelengths shorter than the ion gyroradius (λ <tf _z ). Short-wavelength fluctuations tend to move around average values, thereby canceling out. However, electrons have a much smaller gyroradius, so they respond to fluctuation and transport in an anomalous manner.

Due to anomalous transport, the minimum plasma dimensions must be at least 2.8 meters. While maintaining this dimension, the ITER is 30 meters high and 30 meters in diameter. It is the smallest feasible Tokamak D-T reactor. For advanced types of fuels such as D-He ^ and the Tokamak reactor would have to be much greater, since the time for a nuclear fuel reaction is much longer. Reactor Tokamak. which uses D-T fuel has the additional problem that most of the energy of the fusion products is transmitted by 14 meV neutrons, causing radiation damage and inducing reactivity in almost all construction materials due to neutron flux. Moreover, the conversion of their energy into electricity must take place as a thermal process whose efficiency does not exceed 30%.

Another proposed configuration is a beam collecting reactor. In a beam collecting reactor, the surrounding plasma is bombarded by ion beams. The rays contain ions with energy that is much higher than with thermal plasma. The generation of suitable fusion reactions in this type of reactor is impossible because the surrounding plasma slows down the ion beams. Various proposals have been put forward to reduce this problem and maximize the number of nuclear reactions.

For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,065,351 to Jassby et al. Discloses a process for forming opposing colliding beams of deuterons and tritons in a toroidal system. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,462, Jassby et al., Injects electromagnetic energy to counteract the effects of plasma equilibrium occurring on one of the ion species. The toroidal system is referred to as Tokamak. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,199, to Rostoker, deuterium and tritium rays are injected and captured at the same average velocity as Tokamak, mirrored or processed in a mirror-inverted configuration. Cold ambient plasma has a low density with one aim - to capture beams. The rays react because they have a high temperature, and the deceleration is mainly due to the electrons that accompany the injected ions. Electrons are heated by ions and in this case the deceleration is minimal.

However, none of these devices plays an equilibrium electric field. Furthermore, none of them attempts to reduce anomalous transport and even does not even consider this transport.

Other patents mention electrostatic ion retention and, in some cases, magnetic electron retention. These include U.S. Patent 3,258,402 and U.S. Patent 3,386,883 to Farnsworth, which disclose electrostatic ion retention and inert electron retention, U.S. Patent 3,530,036 to Ilirsch et al., And U.S. Patent No. 3 No. 530,497, Hirsch, similar to Farnsworth's ideas. U.S. Patent No. 4,233,537 to Limpaecher, which discloses electrostatic ion retention and magnetic electron retention with multi-pole reflective walls with peaks, and U.S. Patent No. 4,826,646 to Bussard. which is similar to the Limpaecher patent and deals with point vertices. None of these patents envisages electrostatic retention of electrons or magnetic retention of ions. Although there are many research projects on electrostatic retention of ions, none of them has been able to generate the required electrostatic field so that the ions have the desired value for the fusion reactor. Finally, none of the aforementioned patents discusses the magnetic topology of the inverted field configuration.

The Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) was discovered randomly around 1960 at the Naval Research Laboratory during azimuthal pinch (theta pinch) experiments. A typical FRC technology in which the internal magnetic field is reversed is shown in Figures 8 and 10 and the particle paths in the FRC are shown in Figures 1 and 14. Many research programs in the FRC area have received support in the United States and Japan. A comprehensive review of the theory and experiments in FRC research between 1960 and 1988 was made. See M. Tuszewski, 28 Nuclear Fusion 2033 (1988). The White Paper on FRC Development describes research in 1996 and provides recommendations for further research, see L. Steinhauer et al., 30 Fusion Technology 116 (1996). Up to this point, in FRC experiments, this configuration was created by the theta pinch method. Using this method, half of the current carries ions and half of the electron, and therefore a negligible electrostatic field is generated in the plasma and there is no electrostatic retention. The ions and electrons in these FRCs were retained magnetically. Almost all FRC experiments assume the existence of anomalous transport. See, for example, Tuszewski, beginning of Chapter 1.5.2, page 2072.

Accordingly, there is a need for a fusion system with a containment system that will tend to substantially reduce or eliminate the anomalous transport of ions and electrons and provide a thermal energy conversion system that converts the energy of the fusion products into electricity with high efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system that promotes controlled fusion in a magnetic field with an inverted field topology and the direct conversion of the energy of the fusion products into electrical energy. A system, referred to herein as a plasma electrical energy generation (PEG) system. it preferably comprises a fusion reactor having a containment system which tends to substantially reduce or eliminate the anomalous transport of ions and electrons. In addition, the PEG system includes an energy conversion system coupled to a reactor that directly converts the energy of the fusion product into electrical energy with high efficiency.

In one innovative aspect of the invention, anomalous transport for both ions and electrons can be substantially reduced or completely eliminated. Anomalous ion transport can be eliminated by magnetic retention of ions in a magnetic field in a reversed-field (FRC) configuration. For electrons, anomalous energy transport can be avoided by tuning the magnetic field externally applied to produce a strong magnetic field that will electrostatically enclose electrons into a deep potential well. As a result, fusion fuel plasma can be used in this apparatus, so the process is not limited to neutron fuels, but also includes advanced or aneutron fuels, which is preferred. For neutron fuels, the fusion reaction energy is almost entirely in the form of charged particles, i.e. energy ions, which can be manipulated in the magnetic field and which, depending on the fuel, produce little or no radioactivity.

In another innovative aspect of the invention, a direct energy conversion system is used to convert the kinetic energy of fusion products directly into electrical energy by retarding charged particles passing through an electromagnetic field. Preferably, the direct energy conversion system of the invention has such efficiency, particle energy tolerance, and electron ability to vary the frequency and phase of the fusion output at about 5 MHz, which is suitable for an external voltage grid frequency of 60 Hz.

In a preferred embodiment, the plasma containment system for the fusion reactor comprises a chamber, a magnetic field generator for applying a magnetic field in a direction along a major axis, and a circular plasma layer comprising a circulating ion beam. Circular plasma ion ions are retained predominantly in the chamber by magnetic force within the paths, and electrons are retained in the electrostatic well. In one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the magnetic field generator comprises a current coil. Preferably, the system further comprises mirror coils at the edges of the chamber that increase the applied magnetic field at the ends of the chamber. The system may also include a beam injector for injecting a neutralized ion beam into the acting magnetic field. wherein the beam enters the path due to the force exerted by the magnetic field. In another aspect of the preferred embodiments, the system creates a magnetic field with an inverted field topology.

In another preferred embodiment, the energy conversion system comprises inverse cyclotron converters (ICCs) connected to opposite ends of the fusion reactor. The ICCs have the shape of a hollow cylinder formed by a plurality, preferably four or more, half-cylindrical electrodes with small spacing between them. Oscillating potential is applied alternately to the electrodes. The electric field E in the ICC has a structure with several poles, fades on the symmetry axes and grows linearly with the radius. The maximum value is in a space.

In addition, the ICC comprises a magnetic field generator to operate a uniform DC magnetic field in a direction predominantly opposite to the direction of the fusion reactor containment system. At the end farther from the energy core of the fusion reactor, the ICC comprises an ion collector. Between the energy core and the ICC, there is a symmetrical magnetic peak, the magnetic field of the containment system decreasing with the magnetic field of the ICC. Around the magnetic peak, a circular-shaped electron collector is electrically connected to the ion collector.

In another embodiment, the reaction product nuclei and electron-neutralizing charge are formed as circular rays from both ends of the reactor energy core at a density at which the magnetic peak separates electrons and ions due to the difference in their energies.

The electrons move along the magnetic field lines to the electron collector and the ions cross the top where the ion trajectory turns into a spiral shape. following the ICC. As the ions move along a spiral along the electrodes connected to the resonant circuit, they release energy. The loss of perpendicular energy is greatest for the highest energy ions that initially orbit near the electrodes where the electric field is strongest.

Other aspects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, together with the accompanying drawings.

Overview of the figures in the drawing

Preferred embodiments are shown by way of example and are not intended to limit the invention. Illustrated are drawings of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like components. Figure 1 shows an example of a containment chamber according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the FRC magnetic field; Figures 3A and 3B show the diamagnetic direction and the opposite direction of the FRC; Figure 4 shows a beam collision system according to the invention; Figure 5 shows the path of betatron; Figures 6A and 6B show the magnetic field and gradient drift direction in the FRC; Figures 7A and 7B show the electric field and drift direction E x B in the FRC; Figures 8A, 8B and 8C show drift ion paths; Figures 9A and 9B show Lorentz force at the ends of the FRC; Figures 10A and 10B show the tuning of the electric field and the electrical potential in a beam collision system; Figure 11 shows the Maxwell distribution; Figures 12A and 12B illustrate the transition from betatron orbits to drift orbits due to large-angle collisions between ions; Figure 13 illustrates the paths of betatron A, B, C and D when considering collisions of electrons with ions at a low angle; Figure 14 shows a neutralized ion beam that is electrically polarized before entering the containment chamber; Figure 5 is a front view of the neutralized ion beam in contact with plasma in the containment chamber; Figure 16 shows a schematic side view of a containment chamber 'according to a preferred embodiment of the start-up procedure'; Figure 17 shows a schematic side view according to another preferred embodiment of the start-up procedure; Figure 18 shows traces of B-probe indicating formation of FRC; Figure 19A shows a partial plasma-electric power generation system comprising a colliding beam fusion reactor coupled to a direct inverted cyclotron converter; Figure 19B shows an end view of the inverse cyclotron converter of Figure 19A; Figure 19C shows the ion path in the inverted cyclotron converter; Figure 20A illustrates a partial plasma-electric power generation system comprising a beam collision fusion reactor coupled to another embodiment of an inverted cyclotron converter; Figure 20B shows an end view of the inverse cyclotron converter of Figure 20A; Figure 21A shows the particle path in a conventional cyclotron; Figure 21B shows an oscillating electric field; Figure 21C shows the varying energy of an accelerating particle; Figure 22 shows an azimuthal electric field in gaps between ICC electrodes undergoing an angular velocity ion: Figure 23 shows focusing quadrupole paired lenses; Figures 24A and 24B illustrate a magnetic field and coil support system; Figure 25 shows a 100 MW reactor; the figure shows the reactor auxiliary equipment; Figure 27 shows a plasma-propulsion system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the figures, the plasma-electric power generation system of the invention preferably comprises a colliding beam fusion reactor connected to a direct energy conversion system. As mentioned above, the ideal fusion rector solves the problem of anomalous transport of both ions and electrons. To address the problem of anomalous transport, a magnetic field restraint system with a inverted magnetic field (FRC) configuration is used herein. Anomalous ion transport is eliminated by magnetic retention in the FRC in such a way that most ions have a large, non-adiabatic pathway, making them insensitive to short-wave fluctuations that cause anomalous transport of adiabatic ions. In particular, the existence of an area in the FRC where the magnetic field disappears makes it possible to obtain plasma with most non-adiabatic ions. For electrons, anomalous energy transport can be avoided by fine-tuning the magnetic field externally applied to create a strong electric field that electrostatically encloses the electrons in a deep potential well.

In a present containment apparatus, fusion fuel plasma can be used and processes are then not limited to neutron fuels such as DD (deuterium deuterium) or DT (deuterium - tritium), but it is preferred that they also include advanced or aneutronic fuels such as D -He ^ (deuterium-helium-3) or (hydrogen-boron). (For discussion of advanced fuel types, see R. Feldbacher and M. Heindler, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, A271 (1988) JJ-64 (North Holland Amsterdam). For such aneutron fuels, the fusion reaction energy is almost all in the form of charged particles. The D-H1 · Reak reaction produces an H ion and a He ^ ion with an energy of 18.2 MeV, while the reaction β- '. The n-1 will generate three He ions and a 8.7 MeV energy Based on theoretical modeling for aneutron fuel fusion equipment, the output energy conversion efficiency can be as high as 90%, as described by K. Yoshikawa, T. N'oma, and Y. Yamamoto at work

Fusion Technology, 19, 870 (1991). Such efficiency dramatically increases the prospects of aneutron fusion in an adjustable (1 to 1000 MW) compact and low cost configuration.

In the direct energy conversion process of the invention, the charged particles of the fusion products can be slowed down and their kinetic energy converted directly into electrical energy. It is preferred that the direct energy conversion system of the invention have such efficiency, particle energy tolerance, and electron ability to vary the frequency and phase of the fusion output of about 5 MHz to be suitable for a 60 Hz external voltage grid frequency.

Fusion restraint system

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a containment system 300 according to the invention. The containment system 300 includes a chamber wall 605 that defines a containment chamber 310. The chamber 310 preferably has a cylindrical shape with a major axis 315 along the center of the chamber 310. To apply the containment system 300 to the fusion reactor, vacuum or conditions approaching the chamber 310 to vacuum. Concentrically with the major axis 315, a betatron flux coil 320 is disposed in chamber 310. The betatron flux coil 320 comprises an electrical conductive medium around a long coil as shown, preferably comprising a parallel internal winding of a plurality of separate coils, preferably approximately four separate coils. coils forming a long coil. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the current passing through the betatron flux coil 320 will induce a magnetic field in the betatron coil 320. especially in the direction of the main axis 315.

Around the outside of the wall of the chamber 305 is an outer coil 325. The outer coil 325 generates a relatively permanent magnetic field whose flux is substantially parallel to the major axis. This magnetic field is azimuth-symmetrical. The approximation that the magnetic field is constant and parallel to the axis 315 by virtue of the outer coil is most accurate from the ends of the chamber 310. There is a mirror coil 330 at each end of chamber 310. The mirror coils 330 create an amplified magnetic field at each end 310. bend the magnetic field lines at each end inwards (see Figures 8 and 10). As explained, this in-field bending of the field lines helps maintain the plasma 335 in the containment area in the chamber 310 generally between the mirror coils 330 so. It is pushed away from the ends where it can escape from the restraint system 300. The mirror coils 330 can be modified to. to generate a magnetic field amplified at the ends by various techniques known in the art, for example, by increasing the number of windings in the mirror coils 130. by increasing the current flowing through the mirror coils 330 or by covering the mirror coils 330 with the outer coil 325.

The outer coil 325 and the mirror coils 330 are shown in Figure 1 where they are outside the chamber 305. However, they may be within the chamber 310. If the wall of the chamber 305 is of conductive material such as metal, it may be advantageous to place the coils 325, 330 chamber wall '305 because of the time. the magnetic field required for diffusion through the wall 305 may be relatively long, and the system 300 may react slowly. Similarly, the chamber 310 may have the shape of a hollow cylinder, the chamber 305 forming a long circular ring. In such a case, the betatron flow coil 320 could be used externally at the wall of the chamber 305 in the center of the annular ring. The inner wall forming the center of the annular ring may preferably be of a non-conductive material such as glass. As will be appreciated, the chamber 310 must be of sufficient size and shape to allow the circulating plasma beam or layer 335 to rotate about a major axis 315 at a given radius.

The chamber wall 305 may be of a material having high magnetic permeability, such as steel. In such a case, the wall of the chamber 305 as a result of the countercurrent in the material may help to maintain the magnetic flux so that it does not escape from the chamber 310, thereby ... "squeezing it. If the chamber wall were made of a material with low magnetic permeability, such as plexiglass, additional magnetic flux retention devices would be required. In such a case, a series of flat steel rings could be formed in a closed loop. These rings, known in the art as flow restrictors, would be in the outer coils 325, but outside the circulating plasma beam 335. The flow restrictors would further be passive or active, wherein the active flow restrictors would be supplied with a predetermined current to further assist magnetic retention. Otherwise, external coils could serve as flow restrictors.

As explained in more detail below, the circulating plasma beam 335 containing charged particles can be retained in the chamber 310 by Lorentz force induced by the magnetic field under the action of the outer coil 325. The ions in the plasma beam 335 are magnetically retained in large betatron paths around the flux lines from the outer coil 325, which is parallel to the major axis 315. Also, one or more injection ports 340 are provided for adding plasma ions to the circulating plasma beam 335 in chamber 310. In a preferred embodiment, the injection ports 340 are adapted to inject the ion beam at approximately the same radial position. from the main axis 315 in which the circulating plasma beam 335 (i.e. around the zero surface described below) is retained. The injection ports 340 are further adapted to inject ion beams 350 (see FIG. 16) tangentially and in the direction of the betatron path of the retained plasma beam 335.

Also provided is one or more plasma sources 345 for injecting a cloud of non-energy plasma into chamber 310. In a preferred embodiment, the surrounding plasma sources 345 are adapted to direct the plasma 335 toward the axial center of the chamber 310. Plasma directing in this manner has been found to assist plasma 335 retention and results in a higher plasma density 335 in the retention area in chamber 310.

Charged particles in FRC

Figure 2 shows the magnetic field of the FRC 70. The system has a cylindrical shape with an axis 78. In the FRC there are two magnetic field lines: open 80 and closed 82. The surface that divides both regions is called the separator 84. The FRC forms a cylindrical zero surface 86 the magnetic field disappears. In the central part 88 of the FRC, the magnetic field in the direction of the axis does not change significantly. At the ends 90, the magnetic field in the direction of the axis changes significantly. The magnetic field along the central axis 78 reverses in the FRC the direction from which the designation "reversed" in the concept of "Field Reversed Configuration" (abbreviated FRC) originated.

In Figure 3A, the magnetic field outside the zero surface 94 is in a first direction 96. The magnetic field inside the zero surface 94 acts in a second direction 98 opposite to the first direction. When the ion moves in the direction 100, the Lorentz force 30 is directed toward the zero surface 94. This can be readily determined by applying the right hand rule. For particles that move in the diamagnetic direction 102, the Lorentz force always points to the zero surface 94. As a result of this phenomenon, a particle path called a beta-tratonate pathway is described, as described below.

Figure 3B shows an ion moving in a direction opposite to the diamagnetic direction 104. In this case, the Lorentz force acts from the zero surface 94.

This phenomenon results in a particle path called a drift orbit, which is described below. The diamagnetic direction for ions is the opposite direction to the diamagnetic direction for electrons and vice versa.

Figure 4 illustrates an annular or circular plasma layer 106 that rotates in the diamagnetic direction of the ions 102. The ring 106 is disposed around the zero surface 86. The magnetic field 108 formed by the circular plasma layer 106 in combination with the external magnetic field 110 forms a magnetic field with FRC topology. (topology is shown in Figure 2).

The ion beam that forms the plasma layer 106 has a certain temperature. The ion velocities form the Maxwell distribution in the frame rotating at the average angular velocity of the ion beam. Collisions between ions of different velocities result in fusion reactions. For this reason, the plasma beam layer or energy core 106 is called a beam collision system.

Figure 5 shows the main type of ion paths in a beam collision system called the betatron orbit 112. The betatron orbit 112 can be expressed as a sine wave centered around the zero circle 114. As explained above, the magnetic field on the zero circle 114 disappears. The plane of the track 112 is perpendicular to the FRC axis 78. The ions in this path 112 move from the origin point 116 in the diamagnetic direction 102. The ion in the betatron pathway has two movements: oscillating in the radial direction (perpendicular to the zero circle 114) and translational along the zero circle 114.

Figure 6A is a graphical representation of the magnetic field 118 in the FRC. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the distance in centimeters from the FRC 78 axis. The magnetic field is in kilogausso. As the graph describes, the magnetic field 118 disappears at the radius of the zero circle 120.

As shown in Figure 6B, particles moving near the null circle will be subjected to a magnetic field gradient 126 away from the null surface 86. The magnetic field outside the null circle has a first direction 122, while the magnetic field inside the null circle has a second direction 124 opposite to the first . The gradient drift direction is given by the result of multiplication B x VB, where VB is the magnetic field gradient. Using the right-hand rule, it can be seen that the direction of the gradient drift is opposite to the diamagnetic direction regardless of whether the ion is outside or inside the zero circle 128.

Figure 7A is a graphical representation of the electric field 130 in the FRC. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the distance in centimeters from the FRC 78 axis. The electric field is expressed in volts / cm. As the graph shows, the electric field 130 near the zero circle radius 120 disappears.

As shown in Figure 7B. the electric field does not limit the ions - it acts in directions 132. 134 from the zero surface 86. Magnetic fields as in the previous case in opposite directions 122, 124 in and out of the zero surface 86. Using the right-hand rule it can be found that drift E x B it has a diamagnetic direction 102 regardless of whether the ion is outside or within the zero surface 136.

Figures 8A and 8B show another type of common path in the FRC, which is called drift path 138. Drift paths 138 may be outside or within the zero surface 114 as shown in Figure 8A, or within this surface as shown in Figure 8B. The drift paths 138 rotate in the diamagnetic direction when E x B predominates, or in the opposite direction when a gradient drift dominates. The drift paths 138 shown in Figures 8A and 8B rotate from the starting point 116 in the diamagnetic direction 102.

The drift orbit shown in Figure 8C can be imagined as a circle rolling over a relatively larger circle. The small circle 142 rotates about its axis in the sense of 144. The roll also follows the large circle 146 in the direction 102. Point 140 will describe a path similar to 138 in space.

Figures 9A and 9B show the direction of Lorenzz force at the ends of FRC 151. Figure 9A shows an ion moving in diamagnetic direction 102 at a velocity 148 in magnetic field 150. Using the right-hand rule, it can be seen that Lorentz force 152 tends to push the ion back into the region. closed field lines. In this case, therefore, the Lorentz force 152 retains ions. Figure 9B shows an ion moving in a direction opposite to the diamagnetic direction at a velocity 148 in the magnetic field 150. Using the right-hand rule, it can be seen that the Lorentz force 152 tends to push the ion into the field's open field lines. In this case, therefore, the Lorentz force 152 does not contain ions.

Magnetic and electrostatic retention in FRC

The plasma layer 106 (see Figure 4) can be formed in the FRC by injecting energy ion beams around the null surface 86 in the diamagnetic direction 102 ions. (A detailed analysis of the different FRC and plasma ring formation procedures follows). In the circulating plasma layer 106, most ions have betatron pathways 112 (see FIG. 5). they are energetic and non-adiabatic and are therefore insensitive to short-term fluctuations that cause abnormal transport.

In the plasma layer 106 formed in the FRC and under equilibrium conditions, maintaining momentum forms a relationship between the angular velocity of ions ot and the angular velocity ω _e . The relation is ω _β = ω _ζ [1 - ω _ζ / Ω ₀ ], where Ω _ο - Z _e B _o / (mp) (1)

In equation 1, / is the atomic number of the ion, 22 _Z is the mass of the ion, e is the charge of the electron, B _o is the magnitude of the applied magnetic field and c is the speed of light. There are three free parameters in this equation: the acting magnetic field B _o , the angular velocity of the electron co _e and the angular velocity of the ion tz? _z . If two are known, the third can be determined from Equation 1.

Because the plasma layer 106 is formed by injecting ion beams into the FRC, set the angular velocity of ions _ω ζ injection kinetic energy of the beam IFJ, which is given by

W [= 1 / 2mi V? = 1/2 mt (ω _ζ r _o fi (2)

Herein R ωι vi = _0, where V i is the injection velocity of ions, _<υ ζ is the cyclotron frequency of ions ar ₀ is the radius of the null surface 86. The kinetic energy of electrons in the beam has been ignored because the electron mass m _e is much smaller than the ion mass / 72 /.

For a constant beam injection rate (constant ω _ζ ), the applied magnetic field B _{o can be} tuned to obtain different m _e values. As will be shown, tuning the external magnetic field B _by also creating different values of the electrostatic field inside the plasma layer. This feature of the invention is illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B. Figure 10A shows the acquisition of three values of the electric field (in volts / cm) for the same injection rate coj - 1.35 x 10 ^ s E but for different values of the applied magnetic field B _o :

Value Magnetic field (5 ₀ ) Angular velocity of electron (¾) 154 B _o = 2.77 kG ^What e = 0 156 B _a = 5.15 kG e = 0.625 x 10 ' s & apos ^;. 158 B _o = 15.5 kG 1.11 x 10 ^/ s ^-1

The values of _e in the above table were determined according to Equation 1. In Equation 1, it is known that a> _e > 0. Ω _ο > ω / and thus the electrons rotate in a direction opposite to the diamagnetic direction. Figure 10B shows the electrical potential (in volts) for the same set of values B _o and cu _e . The horizontal axis in FIGS. 10A and 10B is the distance from the FRC axis 78 shown in a graph in centimeters. The electric field and electric potential depend to a large extent on what _e .

The above results can be explained simply on physical principles. When the ions rotate in the diamagnetic direction, they are magnetically limited by the Lorentz force. This was shown in Figure 3A. For electrons rotating in the same direction as the ions, the Lorentz force acts in the opposite direction, so that the electrons would not be constrained. Electrons leave the plasma and, as a result, an excess of positive charge is generated. This creates an electric field that prevents other electrons from leaving the plasma. The direction and magnitude of the electric field is determined by maintaining torque in equilibrium.

The electrostatic field plays an important role in the transport of electrons and ions. Therefore, an important aspect of the present invention is that a strong electrostatic field is generated within the plasma layer 106, the magnitude of which is controlled by the magnetic field value B _o and can be easily controlled.

As explained, the electrostatic field is confining for electrons if a>_e> 0. As shown in Figure 10B, the depth of the well can be increased by tuning the applied magnetic field B _o. With the exception of the very narrow region around the zero circle, the electrons always have a small gyroradius. Therefore, electrons respond to short-wave fluctuations anomalously at high diffusion rates. This diffusion essentially helps to maintain the potential well as soon as the fusion reaction occurs. The ions, which are products of fusion, have much higher energy and leave plasma. In order to maintain quasi-charge neutrality, the fusion products must remove electrons from the plasma, particularly by removing electrons from the surface of the plasma layer.

The electron density on the plasma surface is very low and the electrons leaving the plasma with the pulsatile products must be replaced, otherwise the potential well would disappear.

Figure 11 shows the Maxwell electron distribution 162. Only the very energetic electrons from the end 160 of the Maxwell distribution can reach the plasma surface and leave it with the fusion ions. Thus, the end 160 of the split 162 is continuously formed by electron-electron collisions in the high-density region at zero surface. Energy electrons have a small gyroradius, so that due to anomalous diffusion they can reach the surface quickly enough to adapt to the outgoing ions that are fusion products. Energy electrons lose energy as they climb in the potential pit, leaving them with very little energy. Although electrons can pass the magnetic field rapidly as a result of anomalous transport, anomalous energy losses can be eliminated because only a small amount of energy is transmitted.

Another consequence of the potential pit is a strong cooling mechanism for electrons, which is similar to evaporative cooling. For example, in order to evaporate water, it must be supplied with the latent heat of evaporation. This heat is supplied by the increasing water in the liquid state and the surrounding medium, which then cool down faster than the thermal processes can supply energy. Analogously for electrons, the depth of the potential well is equivalent to the latent heat of water evaporation. Electrons supply the energy required to output in a potential well through a thermalization process that restores energy at the end of the Maxwell distribution so that the electrons can escape. The thermalization process lowers the temperature of the electrons because it is much faster than any heating process. Due to the difference in mass between electrons and protons, the energy transfer time is about 1800 times lower than the electron thermalization time. This cooling mechanism also reduces radiation loss of electrons. This is especially important for advanced fuel types where radiation losses are increased by fuel ions with atomic number Z greater than 1. Z> 1.

The electrostatic field also affects the transport of ions. Most of the particle paths in the plasma layer 106 are betatron paths 112. Large-angle collisions, i.e. collisions with an angular dispersion of 90 ^° to 180 °, can convert the betatron pathway into a drift path. As described above, the direction of rotation of the drift path is determined by the relationship between the drift

E x B and gradient drift. If drift E x B prevails, the drift path rotates in the diamagnetic direction. If a gradient drift predominates, the drift path rotates in the opposite direction. This is shown in Figures 12A and 12B. Figure 12A shows the transition from the betarone path to the drift path due to a collision at 180 °. The drift orbit continues to rotate in the diamagnetic direction as the E x B drift predominates. Figure 12B shows another 180 ° collision, but in this case the electrostatic field is weak and the gradient drift predominates. The drift path thus rotates in a direction opposite to the diamagnetic one.

The direction of rotation of the drift orbit determines whether or not there is a containment. The particle moving in the drift orbit will also have a velocity parallel to the FRC axis. Time. at which a particle passes from one end of the FRC to the other is due to its parallel movement and is called the passage time. The drift paths reach the end of the FRC in the order of transit time. As shown in relation to Figure 9A, the Lorentz force at the ends of the FRC limits only paths rotating in the diamagnetic direction. After the passage time, the ions in the drift orbits rotating in the opposite direction to the diamagnetic are lost.

This phenomenon is the cause of the loss of the mechanism for ions and is believed to have existed in all FRC experiments. In these experiments, the ions carried half the current and the other half carried the electrons. Under the above conditions, the electric field in the plasma was negligible and the gradient drift always outweighed the drift Ex B. Therefore, after the passage time, all drift orbits generated after high-angle collisions were lost. These experiments elicited diffusion rates of ions that were higher than those predicted by classical estimates of diffusion.

In the case of a strong electrostatic field, the drift E x B prevails over the gradient drift and the drift path rotates in the diamagnetic direction. This was shown above in relation to Figure 12A. When these paths reach the ends of the FRC, they are reflected by the Lorentz force back into the closed field lines and remain retained in the system.

Electrostatic fields in a colliding beam system can be strong enough, and therefore the drift E x B outweighs the gradient drift. The electrostatic field of the system would therefore eliminate the transport of ions by eliminating the mechanism of ion loss, similar to the cone of losses in the mirror device.

Another aspect of ion diffusion can be deduced by considering the effect of collisions of electrons and low angle ions on the betatron pathway. Figure 13A shows the betatron orbit 112, Figure 13B shows the same orbit 112 when considering electron and ion collisions at a low angle 174; 13C shows the path of FIG. 13B for a period of ten times longer 176, and FIG. 13D shows the path of FIG. 13B for a period of twenty times longer. It can be noted that the topology of betatron pathways does not change due to electron and ion collisions at a low angle, but the amplitude of their radial oscillations increases with time. The paths shown in Figures 13A to 13D actually increase with time, suggesting classical diffusion.

Creating FRC

Conventional procedures used to form FRCs typically work with the theta pinch field reversal method. In this commonly used method, the magnetic field generated by the external coils acts around a chamber filled with neutral gas. Then the gas is ionized and the magnetic field is frozen in plasma. Next, the current in the external coils is reversed rapidly and the oppositely directed magnetic field lines are coupled to the pre-frozen field lines to form a closed FRC topology (see Figure 2). This process of FRC creation is largely empirical and there are hardly any means to manage it. The procedure is poorly reproducible and consequently cannot be tuned.

In contrast, the FRC generation methods of the invention allow for rich control and the process is thus more transparent and more reproducible. The FRC generated by the methods of the invention can be tuned and its shape as well as other properties can be directly influenced by manipulating the magnetic field acting from the external field coils 325. By generating the FRC by the methods, the electric field and potential well can also be generated by the procedure described in detail higher. The present processes can be easily expanded to accelerate FRC to reactor level parameters and high energy fuel streams and preferably allow for classical ion retention. The process can be further utilized in a compact device, is very robust and easy to apply, which are very desirable properties for a holy reactor.

In the above procedures, the formation of FRC relates to the circulating plasma beam 335. It can be found that the circulating plasma beam 335, because of its current character, generates a poloid magnetic field as well as an electric current in a circular wire. In the circulating plasma beam 335, the magnetic field thus induced acts against the externally acting magnetic field generated by the external coil 325. Outside the plasma beam 335, the internal magnetic field has the same direction as the applied magnetic field. When the plasma ion current is large enough, the internal field exceeds the applied field and the magnetic field reverses inwardly of the circulating plasma beam 335, resulting in the FRC topology shown in Figures 2 and 4.

The field reversal requirement can be estimated using a simple model. Consider an electric current lp transmitted by a ring with a major radius r ₀ and a smaller radius a <<r ₀ . The magnetic field in the center of the ring in the direction of normal to the ring is B _o = 2 π Ip / (cr ₀ ). Suppose that the ring current lp = Νρβ (Ω ₀ / (2π) is transmitted by N ions having angular velocity Ω _ο For a single ion circulating at the radius r _o = V _o ! Ω _Ο , Ω _ο = eBo / m / c is the cyclotron frequency for the external magnetic field B _o Assume that V _o is the average velocity of the ion beams.

8p - ΝρβΩ ₀ / (/ qC)> 2 B q (3), implying that Np> 2 R _o / aj and lp> eV ₀ / (nai) (4), where aj = = 1,57 x And the ion beam energy is 1/2 mi V /.

In the one-dimensional model, the magnetic field from the plasma current is Bp = (2π / c) ip, where ip is the current per unit length. The field reversal requirement is ip> eV ₀ / π R _o i = 0.225 kA / cm, where B _o = 69.3 G and 1/2 mjV / - 100 eV. For a periodic ring model, B _z is _on average about the axis coordinate (B _z ) = (2n / c) (Ip / s), where 5 = ring spacing, if 5 = r ₀ , this model would have the same average magnetic field as a one - dimensional model with ip - lp / s.

Combined technique using beam and betatron

The preferred procedure for forming FRCs in the containment system 300 described above is hereinafter referred to as a combined beam-betatron technique. This procedure combines low energy plasma ion beams with betatron acceleration using a betatron flux 320 coil.

The first step of this procedure is to inject an approximately circular layer of surrounding plasma into the chamber 310 using the surrounding plasma sources 345. The outer coil 325 faces a magnetic field inside the chamber 310 that magnetizes the surrounding plasma. At short intervals, low energy ion beams are injected into chamber 310 through injection holes 340 across the outside magnetic field in chamber 30. As explained above, the ion beams are captured by this magnetic field in the chamber 310 in large betatron orbits. Ion beams can be generated by an ionic accelerator, such as an accelerator containing an ionic diode, and by Max's generator (see R. B. Miller, An Introduction to Physics of Intense Charged Particle Beams, 1982). As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the external magnetic field will exert Lorentz force on the injected ion beam upon entering chamber 310. However, the ion beam is not required to bend or enter the betatron path until it reaches the circulating plasma beam 335. To solve this problem, the ion beams are neutralized by electrons and directed essentially by a constant DC magnetic field before entering the chamber 310. As shown in Figure 14, when the ion beam 350 is directed to pass through a respective magnetic field, the positively charged ions and the negatively charged electrons are separated. Thus, the ion beam 350 itself is electrically polarized due to the magnetic field. This magnetic field can be generated, for example, by a permanent magnet or by an electromagnet along the path of the ion beam. Upon introduction into the containment chamber 310, the resulting electric field balances the magnetic force on the beam particles and allows the ion beam to be carried without bending. Figure 15 shows a central view of ion beam 350 upon contact with plasma 335. As described, electrons from plasma 335 move along magnetic field lines to and from beam 350, thereby decreasing the electric polarization of the beam. When the beam is no longer electrically polarized, it attaches to the circulating plasma beam 335 in the betatron orbit about the major axis 315, as shown in Figure 1 (see also Figure 4).

As the plasma beam 335 travels along its betatron orbit, the moving ions carry a current that in turn induces an internal poloid magnetic field. In order to establish the FRC topology in the chamber 310, it is necessary to increase the speed of the plasma beam 335 and thus to amplify the internal magnetic field generated by the plasma beam 335. When the internal magnetic field is sufficiently large, the direction of the magnetic field at a radial distance from the axis 315 in the plasma beam 335 reverses and a FRC is formed (see Figures 2 and 4). It can be found that to maintain the radial distance of the circulating plasma beam 335 in the betatron orbit, as the plasma beam 335 accelerates, it is necessary to amplify the applied magnetic field from the outer coil 325. This creates a control system for maintaining a suitable magnetic field based on the current passing through the outer Otherwise, a second outer coil may be used to provide the additional magnetic field that is required to maintain the radius of the magnetic beam's path as it accelerates.

16, it can be seen that by increasing the current passing through the betatrone flux coil 320, an azimuthal electric field E is generated in the chamber 310 according to Ampere's law 310. Positively charged ions in the plasma beam 335 are accelerated by this induced electric field, causing the field reversal described above. When ion beams are added to the circulating plasma beam 335 as described above, the plasma beam 335 depolarizes the beams.

To reverse the field, the circulating plasma beam 335 is preferably accelerated to a rotational energy of about 100 eV, preferably in the range of about 75 eV to 125 eV. To achieve fusion conditions, the circulating plasma beam 335 is preferably accelerated to about 200 keV, preferably in the range of about 100 keV to 3.3 MeV.

The formation of FRC has been successfully demonstrated using a combined beam and betatron technique. The combined beam and betatron method was experimentally implemented in a 1 m chamber with a length of 1.5 m using an external magnetic field of up to 500 G, a magnetic field from a coil with a flow rate of 320 to 5 kG and a vacuum of 1.2 x 10 'tons . In the experiment, the background plasma had a density of 10 ¹³ CIN ³ and the ion beam is neutralized Hydrogen beam having a density of 1.2 x 10 ¹ 'cm' ³ -Y-rates 2 x 10 ⁷ cm / s and a pulse length of about 20 ps (at half the length). Field reversal was observed.

Betatron technique

Another preferred method of forming FRCs in the containment system 300 is called the betatrone FRC generation technique. This process is based on direct control of the betatron-induced current to accelerate the circulating plasma beam 335 using a betatron flux 320 coil. A preferred embodiment of the process utilizes the containment system 300 described in Figure 1 except that low-energy ion beam injection is not required.

As noted, the main component of the betatron generation method is a betatron flux coil 320 installed in the center and around the chamber axis 310. As a result of a separate winding design, the coil 320 has very low inductance and has a low LC time constant when connected to a suitable voltage source. which allows a rapid increase in current in the coil 320.

The formation of the FRC is preferably effected by energizing the outer field coils 325, 330. This creates a field with axial conduction and radial magnetic field components near the ends to axially limit the plasma injected into chamber 310. Once sufficient magnetic field is introduced, the surrounding plasma sources 345 are energized from their own voltage sources. resources. The plasma emanates from the streams of parts along the axial guide field and sprays slightly due to its temperature. When the plasma reaches the center plane of the chamber 310, a continuous circular layer of cold slow moving plasma is formed around the axis.

At this point, the coil is energized with a betatron flow 320. The rapidly increasing current in the coil 320 induces a rapidly varying axial flow within the coil. Due to the induction, this rapid increase in axial flow generates an azimuthal electric field E (see FIG. 17), which penetrates the space around the coil via the sewer. According to Maxwell's equations, this electric field is directly proportional to the change in magnetic flux strength in the coil, that is, a faster current increase in the betatron coil will cause a stronger electric field.

The induced electric field E connects to the charged particles in the plasma and generates an electromotive voltage that accelerates the particles in the circular plasma layer. Due to their low mass, electrons are accelerated first. Thus, the initial current generated by this process is mainly due to electrons. However, sufficient acceleration time (around hundreds of microseconds) also eventually induces ionic current. The electric field E in Figure 17 will accelerate electrons and ions in opposite directions. Once both types of particles have reached their finite velocity, the current is practically transferred by both ions and electrons.

As mentioned above, the current transmitted by the rotating plasma generates an internal magnetic field. The formation of a true FRC topology begins when the internal magnetic field generated by the current in the plasma layer becomes comparable to the applied magnetic field from the outer field coils 325. 330. At this point a new magnetic field arises and the open field lines of the initial externally generated magnetic field begin to close and create FRC flow surfaces (Figures 2 and 4).

The basic FRC generated by this method exhibits a mean magnetic field and particle energies that do not normally reach the relevant reactor operating parameters. However, the electric acceleration induction field will persist as long as the current in the betatron flux 320 coil continues to increase rapidly. As a result of this process, the energy and overall magnetic field of the FRC will continue to grow. Thus, the scope of this process is primarily limited by supplying the coil with the flow, since a steady power supply requires a large energy store. In principle, however, it is not difficult to accelerate the system so that it has parameters suitable for the reactor.

To reverse the field. Preferably, the circulating plasma beam 335 is accelerated to a rotational energy of about 100 eV, preferably in the range of about 75 eV to 125 eV. To achieve fusion conditions, circulating plasma 335 is preferably accelerated to about 200 keV. preferably in the range of 100 keV to 3.3 MeV. When ion beams are supplied to the circulating plasma beam 335 as described above, the plasma beam 335 depolarizes the ion beams.

FRC formation using the betatron method has been successfully demonstrated at the following parameter values:

• Dimensions ^{7 of the} vacuum chamber: diameter about 1 m, length about 1.5 meters.

• Betatron coil radius: 10 cm.

• Radius of plasma path: 20 cm. ^z • The mean external magnetic field generated in the vacuum chamber was up to 100 gauss with a growth period of 150 ps and a mirror ratio of 2 to 1. (source: external coils and betatron coils.) • Ambient plasma (essentially hydrogen gas) had a mean density of about 10 ^b cm @ ⁵ and a kinetic energy of less than 10 eV.

The lifetime of the configuration was limited by the total energy stored in the experiment and generally reached about 30 ps.

The experiments continued with the first injection of the surrounding plasma layer with two sets of coaxial cables installed in a chamber in a circle. Each set of 8 parts was installed on one or two mirror coil assemblies. The guns were azimuthed at the same distance and displaced relative to the second assembly. This arrangement allowed the cannons to be fired simultaneously to form a circular plasma layer.

After this layer was formed, the betatron flow coil was energized. The rising current in the betatron coil winding caused an increase in flux inside the coil, creating an azimuth electric field around the betatron coil. The surge and high current in the betatron flux coil created a strong electric field that accelerated the circular plasma layer and thus induced a considerable current. A sufficiently high plasma current created an internal magnetic field that altered the external field to produce a reversed-field configuration. By measuring the loops of point B, the extent, strength and duration of the FRC were determined.

An example of typical data is illustrated by the probe trace of point B in Figure 30. Data curve A represents the absolute force of the axial component of the magnetic field on the axial center plane (75 cm from each end plate) of the experimental chamber and at a radial position of 15 cm. The data curve B represents the absolute force of the axial component of the magnetic field in the axial center plane of the chamber and in the radial position of 30 cm. The data on curve A therefore indicates the magnetic field strength inside the plasma fuel layer (between the betatron coil and the plasma), while the data curve B describes the magnetic field strength outside the plasma fuel layer. The data clearly shows that the inner magnetic field reverses orientation (is negative) for 23 and 47 ps while the outer field remains positive, that is, does not reverse the orientation. The reversal time is limited by the current increase in the betatron coil. Once the current in the betatron coil reaches its peak, the induced current in the fuel plasma layer begins to decrease and the FRC is rapidly lost. Up to this time, the life of the FRC is limited by the energy that can be stored in the experiment. As in the injection and capture experiment, the system can be upgraded to provide longer FRC life and acceleration of reactor-relevant parameters.

This technique generally not only creates a compact FRC, but is also robust and simple to implement. The most important thing is that the basic FRC. generated by this method, can be very easily accelerated to any desired level of rotational energy and magnetic field strength. This is essential for the application of fusion and the classical retention of high energy beams.

merger

These two FRC generation techniques in the containment system 300 described above and the like can generate plasma with properties suitable for inducing a nuclear fusion reaction. More specifically, the FRC generated by these methods can be accelerated to any desired level of rotational energy and magnetic field strength. This is essential for the application of fusions as well as the classical retention of high energy fuel beams. Thus, in the containment system 300, it is possible to retain and reduce the high energy plasma beams for a sufficiently long period to produce a fusion reaction.

For fusion treatment, the FRC produced by these methods is preferably accelerated. to achieve adequate values of rotational energy and magnetic field by accelerating betatrones. However, the fusion tends to require that a variety of physical conditions be met to effect the reaction. In addition, in order to achieve efficient fuel combustion and a positive energy balance, the fuel must be maintained in that state substantially unchanged for an extended period of time. This is important because high kinetic temperature or energy characterizes a fusion-friendly state. Creating this state, therefore, requires considerable energy input, which can only be achieved if most of the fuel is involved in the fusion. As a result, the retention time of the fuel must be longer than its combustion time. Then the energy balance and the resulting energy output will also be positive.

An important advantage of the invention is that the retention system and plasma described herein are capable of long retention times, i.e. retention times that exceed the fuel combustion times. Thus, a typical fusion condition is characterized by the following physical conditions (which typically vary depending on fuel and operating mode):

average ion temperature: in the range of about 30 to 230 keV, and preferably in the range of about keV to 230 keV, average electron temperature: in the range of about 30 to 100 keV, and preferably in the range of about 80 keV to 100 keV, coherent energy of fuel rays circulating plasma beam): in the range of about 100 keV to 3.3 MeV and preferably in the range of 300 keV to 3.3 MeV.

total magnetic field: in the range of about 47.5 to 120 kG and preferably in the range of about 95 to 120 kG (with an external field of action in the range of about 2.5 to 15 kG and preferably in the range of about 5 to 15 kG), classical retention time : longer than the period of combustion of fuel, and preferably about 10 to 100 seconds, the ion density of fuel in the range of about 10 ^-4 to below 10 ¹⁶ cm ^-3 and preferably in the range of about 10 ¹⁴ to 10 ¹⁵ cm ^"3, the total fusion energy: preferably in the range of about 50 to 450 kW / cm (energy per cm of chamber length).

To adjust the above fusion conditions, the FRC is preferably accelerated to a coherent rotational energy level preferably in the range of about 100 keV to 3.3 MeV, more preferably in the range of about 300 keV to 3.3 MeV and levels of 45 to 120 kG, more preferably in the range of about 90 to 115 kg. At these levels, high energy ion beams can be injected into the FRC and captured to form a plasma beam layer, wherein the plasma ion beams are held magnetically and the electrons of the plasma beams are held electrostatically.

Preferably, the electron temperature is kept as low as practically possible in order to reduce the braking radiation which may otherwise cause loss of radioactive energy. An effective means of doing this is an electrostatic pit according to the invention.

The temperature of the ions is preferably maintained at a level that ensures efficient combustion since the fusion cross-section is a function of the ionic temperature. The high direct energy of the fuel ion beams is essential for the classical transport described in this application. It also minimizes the effects of fuel plasma instability. The magnetic field is consistent with the rotational energy of the beam. It is partly made up of a plasma beam (inner field) and in turn provides support and strength to keep the plasma beam on the desired path.

Fusion products

The fusion products are formed in the energy core predominantly at the zero surface 86, from where they emerge by diffusion towards the separates 84 (see Figures 2 and 4). This is due to collisions with electrons (because collisions with ions do not change the center of gravity and therefore do not cause a change in field lines). Due to the high kinetic energy (the resulting ions have much more energy than the fuel ions), the fusion products can easily pass through the separator 84. Once behind the separator 84, they can advance along the open field lines 80 provided they are scattered by collisions with the ions. Although this collision process does not result in diffusion, it can change the direction of the ion velocity vector to point parallel to the magnetic field. These open field lines 80 connect the FRC core topology to a uniformly acting field outside the FRC topology. The resulting ions emerge on different field lines according to the energy distribution. It is preferred that the reaction product ions and the charge neutralizing electrons emerge in the form of rotating circular beams from both ends of the fuel plasma. For example, for a 50 MW v-B reaction design, these rays will have a radius of about 50 cm and a thickness of about 10 centimeters. In strong magnetic fields outside the separator 84 (typically about 100 kG), the resultant ions have a related gyroradius distribution that varies from a minimum of about 1 cm to a maximum of about 3 cm for the most energetic resultant ions.

The resulting ions initially have both longitudinal and rotational energy, characterized by 1/2 M (Vp _ar ) 2 and 1/2 M (Vp _er p) 2. Said Vp _er p is the azimuthal velocity associated with rotation around the field line as in the center of the path. Because field lines are dispersed into space after moving away from the FRC topology, the rotational energy tends to decrease while the overall energy remains constant. This is due to the adiabatic invariance of the magnetic moment of the resulting ions. It is well known in the art that charged particles moving in a magnetic field have a magnetic moment related to their motion.

In the case of particles moving along a slowly changing magnetic field, there is also an adiabatic invariant of the movement described by 1 / 2M (Vp _er p) 2 / B. The ions that are the product of the reaction, orbiting their field lines, have a magnetic moment and adiabatic invariance associated with this movement. Since B decreases about ten times (as determined by the field lines), it follows that Vp _er p will decrease about 3.2 times.

When the resulting ions arrive in a uniform field region, their rotational energy will be less than 5% of their total energy, which is, in other words, almost all energy in the longitudinal component.

Energy conversion

The direct energy conversion system of the invention comprises the inverse cyclotron converter (ICC) 420 shown in Figures 19A and 20A and connected to the (partially illustrated) voltage core 436 of the collision beam reactor (CBFR) 410 to form a plasma electricity generation system 400. Second ICC (not shown) may be positioned symmetrically towards the left CBFR 410. Magnetic peak 486 is located between CBFR 410 and ICC 420 and arises when the CBFR 410 and ICC 420 magnetic fields are joined.

Before describing in detail the ICC 420 and its operation, we present an overview of the characteristics of a typical cyclotron accelerator. In conventional cyclotron accelerators, electrical ions rotate at speeds perpendicular to the magnetic field in the circles. The radius of the path of the energy ions is determined by the strength of the magnetic field and its charge relative to mass and increases with energy. However, the rotation frequency of ions is independent of their energy. This has been used in the construction of cyclotron accelerators.

In Figure 21A, a typical cyclotron accelerator 700 is comprised of two C-shaped mirror electrodes 710 forming D-shaped mirror cavities disposed in a homogeneous magnetic field 720 and having field lines perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the electrodes, i.e. the plane of the page. An oscillating electrical potential is applied between the C-shaped electrodes (see Figure 21B). The ions I emanate from a source located in the center of the cyclotron 700. The magnetic field 720 is adjusted such that the rotational frequency of the ions matches the electrical potential and the associated electric field. If the ion I of the gap 730 passes between the electrodes in the shape of the letter C 710 in the same direction as the electric field, it is accelerated. When the electron I is accelerated, its energy and its radius increase. When the ion passes the arc in the shape of a circle (and has not been increased energy), it passes again through the gap 730. Now the electric field between the C-shaped electrodes 710 is reversed. The ion I is again accelerated and its energy is further increased. This process is repeated each time the ion passes through gap 730, provided that its rotational energy is further combined with the energy of the oscillating electric field (see Figure 21C). On the other hand, if the particle passes through the gap 730 when the electric field is in the opposite direction, it will be slowed and returned to the source at the center. Only particles with initial velocities perpendicular to magnetic field 720 and those. that pass through gap 730 in the correct phase of the oscillating electric field. will be accelerated. Phase consistency is therefore important for acceleration.

In principle, a cyclotron could be used to extract kinetic energy from a beam with the same energy ions. Slower ions with cyclotrones but without energy extractions were observed for protons as described by Bloch and Jeffries in Phys. Rev. 80, 305 (1950). The ions could be injected into the cavity so that they are brought into the decelerating phase with respect to the oscillating field. All ions would then reverse the trajectory of the accelerated ion shown in Figure 21A. As the ions slow down due to interaction with the electric field, their kinetic energy is transformed into oscillating electric energy in the electrical circuit of which the cyclotron is part. Direct conversion to very efficient electricity would be achieved.

In practice, the ion beam ions would enter the cyclotron with all possible phases. Unless phase variables are compensated in the cyclotron construction, half of the ions are accelerated and the other half is slowed. Consequently, the maximum conversion efficiency would be 50%. Moreover, the resulting circular ion fusion beams discussed above have an inappropriate shape for a conventional cyclotron.

As discussed in more detail below, the ICC of the invention adapts the circular nature of the resulting fusion rays to the FRC cores of the fusion reactor and the random reactive phase of the ions in the beam and the propagation of their energies.

Returning to Figure 19A. Here, a portion of the CBFR 410 power core 436 is shown on the left, wherein the plasma fuel core 435 is enclosed in the FRC 470 formed partly due to the magnetic field acting outside the field coil 425. The FRC 470 comprises closed field lines 482. separator 484 and open field lines 480 as mentioned above, they determine the properties of the circular beam 437 of the fusion products. The open field lines 480 extend from the energy core 436 towards the magnetic peaks 486. As mentioned above, the fusion products emanate from the energy core 436 along the open field lines 480 in the form of a circular beam 437 containing energy ions and charge neutralizing electrons.

The geometry of the ICC 420 resembles a hollow cylinder with a length of approximately 5 meters. The surface of the cylinder is formed by four or more equal half-cylindrical electrodes 494 with small straight gaps.

497. In operation, the electrodes 494 alternate with an oscillating potential. The electric field E in the converter has a four-pole structure as shown in the end view shown in Figure 19B. The electric field E disappears on the symmetry axes and increases linearly with the radius. The peak value is within 497.

In addition, the ICC comprises outer field coils 488 which form a uniform field in the geometry of the hollow cylinder of the ICC. Because the current flows through the coil field 488 in the direction opposite to the current flowing through the CBFR 425 coil field, the ICC field field lines 496 run in the direction opposite to the open CBFR 410 field lines 480. At the end furthest from the CBFR 410 power coil 436 contains ICC 420 ion collector 492.

Between CBFR 410 and ICC 420 there is a symmetrical magnetic peak 486, with open field lines 480 of CBFR 410 mixed with ICC 420 field lines 496. An electron collector of circular shape 490 is located around magnetic peak 486 and is electrically connected to an ion collector 498. As below The expanded, magnetic field of the magnetic peaks 486 converts the very effective angular velocity of the beam 437 to a rotational velocity. Figure 19 shows a typical ion path 422 in converter 420.

The CBFR 410 has a cylindrical shape. In the center is the fusion energy core 436 with the fusion plasma core 435 contained in the FRC 470 magnetic field topology in which the fusion reactions take place. As noted, the resulting core and core neutralizing electrons project as circular beams 437 from both ends of the fuel plasma 435. For example, in a 50 MW power β-B reaction design, these beams will have a radius of about 50 cm and a thickness of approximately 10 cm. The circular beam has a density of 10 ⁷ to 10 ^s cnr ¹ . For such a density, the magnetic peak 486 separates electrons and ions. The electrons follow magnetic field lines up to the electron collector 490 and the ions pass through a peak 486 where the ion trajectories are altered to follow a substantially spiral path along the length of ICC 420. As the ions move along the spiral along the electrodes 494 connected to the resonant circuit, not shown). The loss of perpendicular energy is greatest for the highest energy ions that initially orbit near electrodes 494 where the electric field is strongest.

The ions arrive at a magnetic peak 486 with a rotational energy equal to approximately the initial total energy, i.e. 1/2 A / Vp = 1/2 Λίνθ ^. There is a distribution of ion energy and an initial ion radius r ₀ when the ions reach a magnetic peak 486. However, the initial radius r ₀ tends to be approximately proportional to the initial velocity v ₀ . The radial magnetic field and the radial velocity of the beam create Lorentz force in the azimuthal direction. The magnetic field at peak 486 does not change the energy of the particles, but converts the initial axial velocity v = v "to the residual axial velocity v _z and the azimuthal velocity v" where vy = v / + ν _Ρ The azimuthal velocity v can be determined from

Ρθ _of Mr = \ - q B ₀ r _o ² / (2 C) = qB ₀ r ₀ ² / (2 C) (5)

The beam ion enters the left side of the peak 486 with B _z - B _o , v ₇ = v ₀ , vj = 0 and r = r ₀ . Outputs on the left side of the peak 486 sr = r ₀ , B _z = - B _o ^v i = q B _o r _o i Mc and \ ₀ ² - Vj2 '' o (6) where Ω _ο = q B _o / (Mc ) is the cyclotron frequency. The rotational frequency of the ions is in the range of about 1 to 10 MHz, and preferably about 5 to 10 MHz, which is the frequency at which energy is generated.

For ions to pass through peak 486, the effective gyroradius must be greater than the width of peak 486 at the radius r ₀ . It is possible to experimentally reduce the axial velocity by 10 times, so that the residual axial energy is reduced by 100 times. Then 99% of the ionic energy is converted to rotational energy. The ion beam has a distribution of values for v _o and ar ₀ . However, as a result of those characteristics reactor based FRC rule, r _o is proportional to _0, the conversion efficiency to rotational energy tends to be for all the ions 99%.

As shown in Figure 19B. The ICC 420 symmetric electrode structure of the invention preferably comprises four electrodes 494. The tank circuit (not shown) is connected to electrode systems 494 so that instantaneous voltages and electric fields are in the state in which they are shown. Voltage and tank circuit oscillate at frequency ω = = _ο . The azimuthal electric field E in the gaps 497 is shown in Figures 19B and 22. Figure 22 shows the electric field in the gaps 497 between the electrodes 494 and the field that acts on the ion. when rotating at angular speed Ω _ο . Obviously, when turned completely, it will

Ί a particle alternately accelerated and decelerated in the order determined by the original phase. In addition to the azimuthal electric field Eg, there is also a radial electric field E _r . The azimuthal field Eg is at a maximum of gaps 497 and decreases as the radius decreases. Figure 22 assumes that the particle rotates and maintains a constant radius. As a result of the gradient in the electric field, the deceleration will always outweigh the acceleration. The acceleration phase increases the radius of the ion, so that when the ion re-enters the decelerating electric field, the radius of the ion will be larger. The deceleration phase will outweigh the independent initial phase of the ion, since the radial gradient of the azimuthal electric field Eg is always positive. Consequently, the energy conversion efficiency is not limited to 50% due to the initial phase problems encountered with conventional cyclotrones. The electric field E _r is also important. It also oscillates and acts in a radial direction that returns the beam trajectory to its original zero speed radius in a plane perpendicular to the axis, as shown in Figure 19C.

The process by which the ions are always retarded is similar to the principle of strong focusing and is essentially an essential feature of the modern fasteners described in U.S. Patent 2,736,799. The combination of a positive lens (performs focusing) and a negative lens (performs defocusing) is positive if has a magnetic field positive gradient. The strong focusing dual quadrupole lenses are shown in Figure 23. The first lens performs focusing in the x-axis direction and defocusing in the y-axis direction. The second lens works similarly, except that the x and y axes are changed. The magnetic field disappears on the axis of symmetry and has a positive radial gradient. The result of the ion beam passing through both lenses is to aim in all directions regardless of the order of passage.

Similar results were recorded for a beam passing through a resonant cavity containing a strong axial magnetic field and operating in TE mode (see Yoshikawa et al.). This device is called peniotron. In TE mode, there is a standing wave in the resonant cavity in which the electric field has quadrupole symmetry. The results are qualitatively similar to some of the results described herein. There are quantitative differences in the fact that the resonant cavity is much larger in size (10 meters long) and operates at a much higher frequency (155MHz) and magnetic field (10 T). An antenna rectifier is required to extract energy from high frequencies. The energy spectrum of the beam reduces conversion efficiency. A more serious problem is the existence of two types of ions, but the conversion efficiency for the D-IIe 'reactor, which produces 15 MeV protons, is adequate.

The single particle path 422 for the ICC 420 particle is shown in Figure 19C. This result was obtained by computer simulation and a similar result was found for peniotron. The ion entering below a certain radius r ₀ moves spirally along the ICC and, after losing its initial rotational energy, changes to a point on a circle with the same radius r _o . Initial conditions are asymmetric. The final state reflects this asymmetry, but is independent of this initial phase, so that all particles slow down. The beam at the end of the ICC ion collector is again circular and has similar dimensions. The axial velocity drops 10 times and the density is reduced accordingly. An extraction efficiency of 99% is achievable for a single particle. However, various factors, such as the rectangular rotational energy of a circular beam before entering the converter, can reduce this efficiency by about 5%. The power extraction can be about 1 to 10 MHz, and preferably in the range of 5 to 10 MHz, with a further reduction in conversion efficiency due to power adjustment for connection to the power grid.

As shown in Figures 20A and 20B, other embodiments of the electrode system 494 in ICC 420 may include two symmetrical semicircular electrodes or beveled electrodes 494 that are angled toward the ion collector 492.

Adaptation of the ion dynamics in the main magnetic field of the ICC 420 can be accomplished using two coil sets 500 and 510, as shown in Figures 24A and 24B. Both coil assemblies 500 and 510 contain adjacent conductors with opposite currents so that the magnetic fields will have a short range. The magnetic field gradient, as shown schematically in Figure 24A, will vary the frequency and phase of the ion rotation. A multi-pole magnetic field, as shown schematically in Figure 24B, will form clusters, as in a linear accelerator.

reactor

Figure 25 shows a 100 MW reactor. The generator section shows the region of the fused core with superconducting coils to apply a uniform magnetic field and the flux coil to form a magnetic field with a reverse field topology. Adjacent opposite ends of the fusion core region are ICC converters to directly convert the kinetic energy of the fusion products into electricity. Auxiliary equipment for such a reactor is shown in Figure 26.

Propulsion system

Figure 27 illustrates a plasma propulsion system 800: The system includes an FRC energy core 836 that includes a fusion fuel core 835, from whose ends the fusion products are in the form of a circular beam 837. The ICC 820 energy converter is connected to one end of the energy core. At the other end of the power core is a magnetic nozzle 850. The fusion product stream 837 extends from one end of the fusion power core to the other according to the field lines to the ICC for energy conversion and from one end of the power core along the field lines.

The invention may take various modifications and other shapes, and a specific example thereof has been illustrated in the drawings and has been described in detail herein. However, the invention should be so understood that it is not limited to the particular form described herein, but rather is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (22)

PATENT CLAIMS A process for converting the energies of fusion products into electricity, comprising the steps of: injecting ions along a spiral path in a generally cylindrical cavity formed by a plurality of semi-cylindrical electrodes between which there are a plurality of elongated gaps between them, forming an electric field in a cavity with a multi-pole structure between more than two poles ions for electricity. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying an oscillating potential to the electrode group. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of forming an azimuthal electric field in the gap group. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of retarding the ions. The method of claim 4, wherein the injection step comprises converting substantially all of the axial energy of the ions into rotational energy. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the ions are injected in the form of a circular beam. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of directing the circular beam across the magnetic apex. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of collecting charge neutralizing electrons from the circular beams as the electrons follow the magnetic field lines of the magnetic peak. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of collecting the ions as soon as a substantial portion of their energy is converted to electricity. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of treating the electrical energy converted from the ion energy to suit the existing energy grids. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode group comprises at least four electrodes. 12. An inverted cyclotron energy converter, comprising: a plurality of electrodes forming a generally cylindrical cavity, wherein the electrons are at some distance therebetween and are elongated cavities, the electrode group comprising more than two electrodes, a magnetic field generator around the electrode group, and an ion collector disposed at one end of the electrode group. 13. The converter of claim 12, further comprising an electron collector located at the other end of the electrode group. 14. The converter of claim 13, wherein the electron collector has a circular shape. The converter of claim 14, wherein the electron collector and the ion collector are electrically coupled. 16. The converter of claim 15, further comprising a tank circuit connected to a plurality of electrodes. 17. The converter of claim 16 wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a plurality of field coils disposed around the plurality of electrodes. The converter of claim 17, wherein the coil group is symmetrical. 19. A cyclotron energy inverse converter, comprising: at least four four-roll electrodes forming a longitudinal cavity, wherein the electrodes are spaced apart such that there are four elongate cavities and a magnetic field generator about at least four electrodes therebetween. The converter of claim 19, further comprising: an ion collector disposed at a first end of the at least four electrodes and an electron collector of a circular shape disposed at a second end of the at least four electrodes, wherein the electron and ion collectors are electrically connected to each other. 21. The converter of claim 19, further comprising a tank circuit connected to at least four electrodes. The converter of claim 19, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a plurality of field coils around at least four electrodes.